The Black Market

"The Black Market" is the first of two novellas written by Leslie Charteris included in the twenty-fifth Saint book The Saint on Guard published in 1944. It had previously been published in serial form and subsequently appeared individually in some editions as The Saint on Guard.

Plot
When a shipment of iridium needed for the production of Allied weapons and equipment is hijacked and put on the black market, Simon Templar hatches a scheme to recover the goods, supported by his shady US intelligence contacts and much to the chagrin of NYPD Inspector Fernack. But when one of his prime leads is murdered, Templar finds himself framed for the crime.

Television adaptation
"The Black Market" was adapted as "The Rough Diamonds", an episode of The Saint starring Roger Moore, and aired on November 21, 1963, as part of the second season.